Knowing the Indian Train

wdp4

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You're talking about the Grand Trunk Express that leaves Delhi at 1840 and reaches Agra around 2115. This is one of the better trains on that route so you can certainly take that.

The error you reported on the online booking site happens once in a while, but don't worry, in case your money got deducted it'll be reimbursed automatically. Also what they say about multiple windows and back button is true, stick to a single window. if you press the back button then u start all over again.

Food is available in most trains in the AC and other classes. However, you will have to pay for it - except in the Rajdhani and Shatabdi class of trains where the food is included in the fare.

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Nick-H

Indian trains are unbelievably L---O---N---G! It is vital you be at the right place on the platform, especially if you have much luggage to carry. Some stops may be 10 or 15 minutes, but minor stops may be much less.

I learnt a thing about this from Mrs N, the last time we travelled by train back her from metupalayam (probably mispelt that). We were quite early for the train. The porter checked our tickets and carried our heap of baggage (I don't travel light, and we'd been away for a whole weekend! ) at a specific point on the platform. He then wandered off, and I asked her why she hadn't given him any money.

"I'll pay him when he comes back to load our bags onto the train and find our seats" --- was her answer!

As the train arrived, so did the porter, and we were very soon settled in, with our bags under the right seats

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Bhaswaran

Excellent+++ thread

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susanmallugal

I would like to know, how the bathrooms are? is it convenient to travel with kids?

i think i prefer to pay the same amt and fly...

I heard it's pretty disgusting on coach. how about first class?

thanks..

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Susan

shashank.aggarwal

All the air conditioned classes would be okay to good..including the bathrooms...

Infact I traveled for the first time in AC this weekend (I prefer to fly, for smaller journies sleeper class OR buses do the trick)..

It was 3AC and to say the least I was pretty impressed..it was very peaceful when compared to normal coaches, we were given spotless linen, blankets, & pillows. The linen and pillow covers are washed after every use..all in all I slept really well through the night..I guess it was the best sleep I had till date while travelling..

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Random Reviews

ba9rn

All the AC coaches have a choice between 'western' and 'Indian' (aka squat) style toilets. In 1st class, there are two of each (and a shower!) and in the other AC classes 1 western + 3 Indian facilities per carriage. They are clean (especially in 1st class, where they are cleaned during the journey.

You might consider bringing warm clothing. The AC coaches are chilled more than they need to be! You will be provided with a blanket, but it's still cold - especially the upper bunk, which is next to the AC vents.

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Nick-H

Susan, the questions you ask are so common they have been answered a dozen or more times on the site.

Please browse and search, before covering the same ground over yet again.

Then you are welcome to ask about your remaining doubts. But I doubt that this site can leave you with many about toilets in India, especially those on trains: seems to be something of a site obsession!

bariloche

I had a problem voting because I prefer sleeper class by day and AC2 by night

agent

I just trust the official site of web site
as there are so many additions and temporary trains added

marar

You need to give the number of your Identity Card (Passport, Driving License etc) while reserving your e-ticket. The Ticket Examiner will ask for this ID to verify that the same passenger is travelling.

HelenR

I've read others' experiences with bugs and "cckrchs"s (can't bring myself to write it out) on other threads...

So, how badly infested are 1A and 2A coaches? What's the worst insect I can see there?

I've seen a lot of "c"s from small to ginormous (ok, I'm exaggerating a bit) but none got really that close to me as these were all outside, except in two instances. Regardless, they were never in my sleeping space.

I will scream bloody murder if I ever see one too close. I'm that scared of them...

machadinha

I hate cockroaches, though won't panic at seeing one (they'd better not get too close though, and knowing one is around can keep me awake until I'm damn sure the bugger is either departed or, erm, demised).

I can't remember it (or any other critters) ever being a problem on an Indian train (traveling Sleeper Class, btw, for many a ride). But, it gets reported on, and I'm sure stuff can happen... Maybe there'd sometimes be one scuttling around the toilet or so, in any case it really didn't register as a problem. I didn't have too much trouble with it in cheap guesthouses all over the country either btw, save for the odd occasion, and even then more likely the odd individual rather than a full-on plague. Bedbugs? Never encountered any, so I still have no idea what they look like or how to recognize their presence.

It is, of course, the (sub-) tropics, so there are bound to be some more creepy-crawlies around the place than you may be used to. Little to do about it I guess, other than to keep the place tidy.

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roopeeman

The folks on AC coaches are different to those in sleeper class!
They speak english, listen to Ipods, watch movies on laptops and masturbate. One of the above is not true:-)
I really like the clean linnen on 3rdAC. I actually really enjoyed it. Maybe because the last trip on an indian train was on a fully packed 3rd class coach and oddly enough the nastiest people from all the country were with me on the coach...

marar

While there is no guarantee that a "C" will not creep in, it is unlikely that you will see one in 1A, 2A or 3A. The most likely creature could be an odd mosquito or fly. I have not seen any insect in the last few trips.

HelenR

Thanks for the replies guys, I feel better.

I'm going to try to find a "dream sac" which is apparently a silk sleeping bag sort of like the ones you put little babies in. I imagine it'll look quite silly if I sleep in it on a train though

I want to have one with me in case I can't cause the demise or departure of the "c". Like you Mach, I could never sleep otherwise.

Flies, ants, mosquitos - no problem. I can cohabit with them.

Spiders - depends on the ugliness.